Students at La Citadelle Lead Peaceful Protest Demanding a Fair School for Cornwall’s Francophone Community

A group of student leaders from École secondaire catholique La Citadelle, known as Comité 73, is continuing its push for a new, equitable French-language high school in Cornwall with a peaceful protest and petition campaign aimed at the Ontario government.

Today, students are staged a walkout and organized march in response to what they describe as “persistent silence” from the province regarding urgent funding requests for a new school building. The event began with a student strike on school grounds at 1:20 p.m., followed by a community march at 2:45 p.m. from La Citadelle on McConnell Avenue to the constituency office of local MPP Nolan Quinn on Second Street East. They marched in front of the Seeker Office on their way there and back.

The student-led initiative has evolved over the past several weeks, as the Comité 73 has launched multiple actions, including a formal letter-writing campaign, a petition to the Ontario Legislature, and repeated public calls for support.

“We are gathering to make our voices heard,” said Jacob Pilon, Prime Minister of the Student Government and Chair of Comité 73. “La Citadelle deserves a school equivalent to what anglophone students have. It’s unacceptable that, despite our respectful efforts and civic engagement, the government continues to remain silent.”

The current building, constructed in 1948, has long been considered outdated by students and staff. The committee argues that francophone students in Cornwall should be entitled to modern and safe learning environments, as guaranteed by Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which affirms the right to minority-language education in adequate facilities.

The group sent an official letter to MPP Nolan Quinn on May 3, requesting his support for new infrastructure funding. As of mid-May, they had not received a response. This lack of engagement prompted the launch of a formal petition to the Ontario Legislature, sponsored by NDP MPP Chandra Pasma (Ottawa West–Nepean), who serves as the party’s education critic.

“The lack of response to our letter nearly a week after it was sent raises concerns,” said Pilon. “This petition marks a concrete next step in our efforts to secure a francophone school that is fair, modern, and respectful of our rights.”

In addition to today’s mobilization, Comité 73 is encouraging community members, alumni, and allies to support the cause by sending their own letters to MPP Quinn. A letter template and mailing instructions are available on the group’s website: www.comite73.ca/nolanquinn.

The committee expressed appreciation to MPP Chandra Pasma (Ottawa-Ouest–Nepean) for her support, and emphasized that their fight is not only about bricks and mortar, but about dignity, equality, and representation for French-speaking students in Eastern Ontario.

For more information visit www.comite73.ca.